Hey I'm ready to start doing M3 conversion parts, I already ordered the steering rack but now I need to do the suspension on my 86 325es. I know many people have done before. But the big question is, what is needed from an e36 M3 to do this swap? Anybody know of any links that could help me out with this? Thanks!

notmpowered

02-05-2004 03:10 AM

Dont get anything from the e36 m3. Get it from an e30 m3. I'm not sure all what you will need, but hubs,strut housing, brakes seem like a good start. e36 will be hell to fit as compared to e30 m3. I dont know shit about 5 lug swaps but there will be a poopload more parts needed to make the e36 suspension work, unless you find a wrecked compact. It shares suspension design with the e30

DevInAz

02-05-2004 03:37 AM

Thanks, this is for my brother and he wants to find out information tonight because he was going to sell his 17 tsw edge's w/ new nitto NT555 to his boss for $400 tomorrow and get the money to buy parts for the swap. But I guess I'll tell him to go the e30 M3 way. Also anyone that knows about anybody selling 5 lug swap let me know!

DevInAz

02-05-2004 03:52 AM

Thanks, this is for my brother and he wants to find out information tonight because he was going to sell his 17 tsw edge's w/ new nitto NT555 to his boss for $400 tomorrow and get the money to buy parts for the swap. But I guess I'll tell him to go the e30 M3 way. Also anyone that knows about anybody selling 5 lug swap let me know!

Skunk#1

02-05-2004 05:31 PM

go to www.davelength.net he has detailed instructions and pics, also a parts list. hope this helps.

jeremy

02-05-2004 10:52 PM

here is some info another member sent me, hope it helps.....

The front struts and spindles fit from the E-36, but you have to use the E-30 strut hats. You can use the E-30 lower control arms, with the E-30 M3 offset control arm bushings and machine 6mm out of the bushing brackets. This is done to center the front wheels in the wheel well. The E-36 M3 struts and spindles are the better ones to use because they use larger rotors and calipers. In the rear the 318ti, z3, and m-roadster trailing arms and spindles will bolt up. The m-roadster trailing arms are reinforced and come with larger calipers and rotors. The parking brake cables off your E-30 must be used because the E-36 models listed above are to short and won't reach the parking brake inside the car. With the E-36 M3 front struts and spindles you will need 17in. rims to clear the larger rotors and calipers. Hope that helps.

The Z3 and 318TI are the same as the E-30. It is however cheaper and easier to replace the trailing arms and spindles as one unit, then it is to order the spindles from the dealer remove the trailing arm assem., press the old spindles out, press the new spindles in, and then re-install the whole assembly again! Also if you read in my post i said the better trailing arms to run are the M-Roadster. These are the closest match to the E-36 M3 front suspension. The trailing arms are beefier ( re-inforced) to deal with the power of the M50 / M52 motor. Also they have bigger calipers similiar to those that the E-36 M3 runs on the rear suspension.